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Retsu Kaioh Isekai has always been in limbo because it was unclear whether it was canon for the series or not.
I did some extensive research and ultimately learned that it's completely non-canon, and it's the only gaiden that isn't. Let's take it one step at a time.
What does Itagaki mean to this project?
He's not the author, doesn't write the script, doesn't draw it, and the work itself was released without his permission. The editor-in-chief responsible for the project explicitly states that it's an unofficial, guerrilla effort and will work to ensure Itagaki acknowledges it as his own in the future. Even the author himself, who conceived and wrote the manga, shares this opinion, calling the manga unofficial and claiming Itagaki ignored it. It turns out Itagaki didn't even know what a "parallel world" was or why people go there after death. The editors literally didn't wait for his permission, publishing the manga "strike while the iron is hot" because the public loved the idea. Even the Chinese cover mocks this, highlighting his displeased expression when he realizes the work will be released without any agreements. However, he showed no hostility toward the project, viewing it as a fan product, so the project was not cancelled. The only argument for the manga's canonical status is its appearance at the Baki Festival alongside other Gaiden installments, but this is only because it was published in the same edition as the main series.
Itagaki's influence is limited to the fact that Itagaki's name appears on the covers simply as a reference to the original concept.
All sources:
1)The main manga page on the Japanese Wikipedia, which contains general information on the manga, with sources, so anyone can explore it more personally. Incidentally, Wikipedia also considers this part non-canon, which is clear after reading everything above and below. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/バキ外伝_烈海王は異世界転生しても一向にかまわんッッ
2) The full interview with the editor, in which he admits the product is unofficial and released on a guerilla basis, but hopes to secure approval in the future (we hope and wait). The main scans of the dialogue are attached, but you can always read the interview yourself.
nlab.itmedia.co.jp
3) A source that states that the editorial staff released the manga without permission, but this is also stated in the source above.
natalie.mu
4) The Chinese cover, depicting Itagaki's sad expression and announcing that the manga has not been approved, also features an abridged version of the editor's interview from point 2 by the same author, who mentions his conflicted feelings about the unofficial nature of the manga but his desire to see the project through to completion.
Also, if the image is difficult to translate, here is the relevant quote. However, this is not a necessary source, as it is a verbatim, albeit less detailed, paraphrase of the same interview. A more detailed version can be found in point 2.
5) A note from the author that the manga is unofficial and Itagaki ignored the product (2nd paragraph) This is the author's commentary on the first volume. Unfortunately, the volume is no longer available for free reading, so those who purchased the paid chapters can find this here.
6) 6) Information from the volume where it's clear and obvious that Itagaki is listed only as the person responsible for the original concept, but is not listed as the author of the work. Authors are labeled accordingly below.
To summarize: Itagaki isn't the author. He doesn't write the script. He doesn't draw it. He doesn't even contribute anything, ignoring the fundamental concept of isekai. The work "PARTISAN" was released without his consent, and the editor is merely trying to get Itagaki to acknowledge it. There's still no information indicating that the work has been acknowledged.
This leads us to the conclusion that we need to remove everything related to isekai from the universe profile, starting with calculations and references, as it's clear this work has no connection to its canonical franchise, and Itagaki makes no mention of it. What we have here is a fanwork that desperately wants to be official, but essentially remains unofficial and unacknowledged.
I did some extensive research and ultimately learned that it's completely non-canon, and it's the only gaiden that isn't. Let's take it one step at a time.
What does Itagaki mean to this project?
He's not the author, doesn't write the script, doesn't draw it, and the work itself was released without his permission. The editor-in-chief responsible for the project explicitly states that it's an unofficial, guerrilla effort and will work to ensure Itagaki acknowledges it as his own in the future. Even the author himself, who conceived and wrote the manga, shares this opinion, calling the manga unofficial and claiming Itagaki ignored it. It turns out Itagaki didn't even know what a "parallel world" was or why people go there after death. The editors literally didn't wait for his permission, publishing the manga "strike while the iron is hot" because the public loved the idea. Even the Chinese cover mocks this, highlighting his displeased expression when he realizes the work will be released without any agreements. However, he showed no hostility toward the project, viewing it as a fan product, so the project was not cancelled. The only argument for the manga's canonical status is its appearance at the Baki Festival alongside other Gaiden installments, but this is only because it was published in the same edition as the main series.
Itagaki's influence is limited to the fact that Itagaki's name appears on the covers simply as a reference to the original concept.
All sources:
1)The main manga page on the Japanese Wikipedia, which contains general information on the manga, with sources, so anyone can explore it more personally. Incidentally, Wikipedia also considers this part non-canon, which is clear after reading everything above and below. https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/バキ外伝_烈海王は異世界転生しても一向にかまわんッッ
2) The full interview with the editor, in which he admits the product is unofficial and released on a guerilla basis, but hopes to secure approval in the future (we hope and wait). The main scans of the dialogue are attached, but you can always read the interview yourself.
【レポ漫画】バキが好きすぎて「烈海王が異世界転生するスピンオフ漫画」を描いてしまった作者にバキ好きのホストが会ってきた話 | ねとらぼ
衝撃のスピンオフはどのように誕生したのか――秋田書店に取材しました。
3) A source that states that the editorial staff released the manga without permission, but this is also stated in the source above.
烈海王が異世界で復活ッッ!!「刃牙」スピンオフが月チャンで開幕、板垣恵介は非公認 - コミックナタリー
板垣恵介原案、猪原賽原作による陸井栄史「バキ外伝 烈海王は異世界転生しても一向にかまわんッッ」が、本日11月6日発売の月刊少年チャンピオン12月号（秋田書店）でスタートした。
natalie.mu
4) The Chinese cover, depicting Itagaki's sad expression and announcing that the manga has not been approved, also features an abridged version of the editor's interview from point 2 by the same author, who mentions his conflicted feelings about the unofficial nature of the manga but his desire to see the project through to completion.
Also, if the image is difficult to translate, here is the relevant quote. However, this is not a necessary source, as it is a verbatim, albeit less detailed, paraphrase of the same interview. A more detailed version can be found in point 2.
[刃牙吧漢化][刃牙外傳～烈海王對於異世界轉生一向都是無所謂的][第3話][27P] - 漫畫版
www.jkforum.net
5) A note from the author that the manga is unofficial and Itagaki ignored the product (2nd paragraph) This is the author's commentary on the first volume. Unfortunately, the volume is no longer available for free reading, so those who purchased the paid chapters can find this here.
6) 6) Information from the volume where it's clear and obvious that Itagaki is listed only as the person responsible for the original concept, but is not listed as the author of the work. Authors are labeled accordingly below.
To summarize: Itagaki isn't the author. He doesn't write the script. He doesn't draw it. He doesn't even contribute anything, ignoring the fundamental concept of isekai. The work "PARTISAN" was released without his consent, and the editor is merely trying to get Itagaki to acknowledge it. There's still no information indicating that the work has been acknowledged.
This leads us to the conclusion that we need to remove everything related to isekai from the universe profile, starting with calculations and references, as it's clear this work has no connection to its canonical franchise, and Itagaki makes no mention of it. What we have here is a fanwork that desperately wants to be official, but essentially remains unofficial and unacknowledged.
